Man City want Ben Haim

The Guardian reports that Manchester City has formally approached their west London counterparts, Chelsea with a view to signing Tal Ben-Haim.

The Israeli international endured a stormy debut season at Stamford Bridge after moving from Bolton Wanderers last summer, featuring just 13 times in the Premier League while sitting behind John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Alex in the pecking order. With the return of Dutch Euro 2008 sensation Bhoularouz and resurgent Serbian Acimovic, Ben Haim knows that competition for places will now be grueling.

Indeed, the 26-year-old’s most notable contributions last term were decidedly negative ones. He was famously skinned in the second week of the campaign as Liverpool’s Fernando Torres trotted past to score the first of his 33 goals; and in April, his stray boot sent team-mate Petr Cech to hospital for emergency facial surgery.

Hence, as new manager Luiz Scolari is set trim at least seven players from his squad, the Israeli international looks sure to seek a new home.

Portsmouth and Tottenham are also rumored to have an interest in Ben-Haim, but it is believed City will close out a ₤5 million deal by next week.

[Source: The Guardian]